Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

If you are looking for a simple yet delicious dessert to bring to a holiday get together, look no further. This spiced applesauce cake has hints of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. If you enjoy cream cheese frosting, then you will love how the sweet, cinnamon frosting complements the moist apple cake. I just made this cake last weekend, and I’m already looking for another occasion to make it again.

I made homemade applesauce for my cake, but you could also use store-bought if you are short on time. I’ve included simple directions for making homemade applesauce below.

Spiced Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

For cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup walnuts (optional), toasted, cooled, and chopped

For Frosting:

• 5 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle of oven. Butter an 8- or 9-inch square cake pan, or spray with cooking spray.

Make the cake:

1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Beat butter, brown sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in applesauce. At low speed, mix in flour mixture until just combined, then stir in walnuts (if using). The batter will look a little curdly and uneven but don’t worry, it will bake up perfectly in the end.
2. Spread batter evenly in pan and bake until golden brown and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Run a knife around edge of cake to loosen, then invert onto a plate. Reinvert cake onto a rack to cool completely.

Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until fluffy. Sift confectioners sugar and cinnamon over cream cheese mixture, then beat at medium speed until incorporated. Spread frosting over top of cooled cake. Keep frosted cake in the fridge.

Recipe from Smitten Kitchen, originally adapted from Gourmet.com

Homemade Applesauce

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into large chunks
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup water

Directions:

Place apples, cinnamon, and water in a small saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until apples are very soft, about 25-30 minutes. Cool, then puree in food processor until smooth.

Loosely based upon a recipe from Smitten Kitchen